Infusing The Romance Novel With Emotional And Sexual Tension
Dates: September 14-27, 2009
Instructor: Laurie Sanders, Editor, Black Velvet Seductions
Cost: FREE to FTHRW
members; $20.00 for all others
Registration Deadline: September 9, 2009
Course Description:
The romance genre is different from other fictional genres. In the romance
genre the ending is defined by the genre (at least according to RWA
definition.) We know when we pick up a romance novel that no matter how dark
it looks for the hero and heroine at the outset they are going to end up at
the end with the happily ever after ending.
What this means is that readers don't read romance novels to find out what
happens at the end. Instead, they choose romance because they want to be
assured of that happily ever after end and they want to share vicariously in
the journey of the hero and heroine as they meet, struggle, begin to fall in
love, struggle again, and eventually overcome the obstacles that stand in
the way of their happily ever after.
The heart of the romance plot is the ebb and flow of two kinds of tension --
sexual tension and emotional tension. It is crucial to incorporate both
kinds of tension into the romance novel.
In this workshop we will cover the basics of both kinds of tension and how
to incorporate them into the romance novel.
- We will look at character, plot, and the ways that characters and plot work
together to provide the perfect atmosphere to build emotional and sexual
tension.
- Plot devices that fuel emotional and sexual tension.
- An overview of sexuality in romance novels -- sweet -- sensual -- erotic --
beyond vanilla erotic -- where does your book fit -- where do you want it to
fit?
- Spicing up a manuscript for the erotic market -- can it be done -- how?
- Sexual tension isn't just sexual -- Sexual tension has an emotional context
as well -- Blending sexual and emotional components
- Once you have the ingredients for emotional and sexual tension -- then
what?
- Deep point of view is the key -- Using deep point of view to show internal character motivation, which builds conflict and emotional tension -- Using deep point of view to show sexual attraction, which builds sexual tension
- Sexy is in the eye of the beholder -- don't be afraid to share your view of what's sexy
- Choosing the details that show and build sexual tension
- Choosing the details that bring in the emotional component
- Maintaining/building sexual tension and emotional tension after the characters have consummated their relationship
- Blending emotional/sexual tension for the happy ever after ending your readers are craving.
About the Instructor:
Laurie Sanders is the founder and Editor-in-Chief at Black Velvet Seductions Publishing. She writes and lectures frequently on the use of deep point of view as the lack of deep point of view in the manuscripts she receives is the most common reason for rejections at her firm.
How to register:
Fee: FTHRW Members: FREE; FTHRW Non-Members:
$20.00
Click here to register
before September 9, 2009.
Thank you for your interest in the workshops offered online
through From The Heart Romance Writers. Should you have any
questions, please email workshops @fthrw. com.
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